Growths, malignant or benign, pressing on or involving the excretory duct of this gland, thereby causing retention of its physiologic secretions with probably cystic distension of its capsule, are excluded from consideration in this paper; and it is proposed to limit the discussion to such cysts of this organ as are preceded by a history of mechanic violence in this region, and offer strong presumptive evidence of being due to such violence.
That this gland, lying as it does, deeply in the upper abdominal zone and apparently well protected from mechanical injury, should at times be subject to violence, which may so seriously interfere with its normal functions as to materially affect the health of the subject, seems, on superficial examination, quite improbable. On little reflection, it will be noted, however, that under favorable conditions, when the stomach is empty and the body is in a position whereby the abdominal